Toys are excellent learning tools to help develop children intellectually and physically. Modern technology has brought about new, high-tech toys that are factory made and readily available on store shelves. Children no longer need to wait for parents, or grandparents, to find some free time to fashion homemade toys for them. Regrettable, traditional, handmade toys created from local knowledge and experience, are slowly fading away.
In an attempt to conserve indigenous art in northern Thailand by utilizing the valuable knowledge and experience of elders in local communities, Mr. Wirapong Kangwannawakul, set up 10 years ago the Khon Thao Khon Kae Group of toy makers at Baan Pa Daet village, Tambon Pa Daet, Mae Suai District in Chaing Rai Province.. The main objective was to foster closer relationships between family members of different generations through toy making; a simple vocation stemming from knowledge and experience passed down from generation to generation.
Members of the Khon Thao Khon Kae Group, who are seniors able to express and transfer their knowledge of local history through art, are proud to be able to help local communities to conserve traditional wisdom. Each elder has his or her own knowledge and technique for making different types of toys. For instance, one may be skilful at basketry, others like using their own imaginations to create toys that vary in concept and format using locally available materials such as bamboo, softwood, palm leaves, coconut leaves and so forth. The seniors collect their own materials and go their own way, spending their own time creating toys. Occasionally, meeting are called so they can get together to discuss and exchange views.
Toys made by the Khon Thao Khon Kae Group fall into three categories. Firstly, there are toys based on the livelihood of people in communities. For example, doll models depict people using working a mortar to grind paddy grains, or a stall vendor, or people working a sawmill. The second category includes play toys like wheels, a bamboo circus, seesaws, or a mouse-on-a-wheel. And thirdly, there are the souvenir toys such as fancy, mobile, animal-like creatures woven from leaves and other natural fibers and models of fishing equipment used in local communities. These toys are quite well known as they are marketed in provinces across the country.
These activities from an important aspect of daily life to generate additional income for the communities, which, in turn, helps improve overall living standards for everyone concerned. The elders regard it as an honor to be invited to teach native toy making at schools in the north of Thailand. Apart from this, it also provides moral support for senior citizens who feel proud to be able to make a valuable contribution to local communities.
Those who are interested are welcome to visit the Khon Thao Khon Kae Group of toy makers at Baan Pa Daet
